Closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin ( 2 ), having an entry region ( 3 ) which may be closed in a water-tight manner using a door ( 4 ) which optionally extends at least to standing height and which may be locked using a locking device ( 8 ), and having a discharge drain ( 9 ) having a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the locked state of the locking device ( 8 ). 
     To provide the greatest possible safety while essentially completely avoiding electrical or electronic components, and which prevents bath water from escaping via the entry region ( 3 ) of the basin ( 2 ) when the door ( 4 ) is open or unlocked, and which allows the door ( 4 ) to be opened when the basin ( 2 ) is filled above the height of the entry region ( 3 ), a mechanical transfer arrangement ( 11 ) is provided for connecting a locking device ( 8 ) which operates in a strictly mechanical fashion to the closing mechanism, using a control system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a closing and securing assembly for a bathtuband/or shower basin, having an entry region which may be closed in awater-tight manner using a door which optionally extends at least tostanding height and which may be locked using a locking device, andhaving a discharge drain having a closing mechanism which may be closedonly in the locked state of the locking device.

2. The Prior Art

Bathtubs and/or shower systems of conventional design, having a showerbasin with a fairly low, floor-level, or almost floor-level edge, do notallow bathing with immersion up to the shoulders while sitting in theshower basin, due to the fact that the possible water level is too low.On the other hand, although a bathtub having a splash guard in the formof a shower curtain or a shower attachment made of sheet glass allowsshowering and bathing, entering at floor level or almost floor level, asin a shower basin, is not possible, since it is necessary to climb overthe high edge of the bathtub, which is an almost insurmountable obstaclein particular for the mobility-impaired and the elderly. For thisreason, both a shower and a bathtub are often installed, which entailsconsiderable space requirements and increased costs.

On the other hand, a bathtub and shower system is known from DE 299 14087 U1, having a basin-like substructure whose height at the edgecorresponds approximately to the edge height of a bathtub, and which hasan approximately floor-level entry region which may be closed to thesurroundings in a water-tight manner by means of a door which pressesagainst a soft rubber seal provided on the substructure in the entryregion. The door has locking means which allow the door to be pressedwith sufficient force against the soft rubber seal so that in the closedstate the door makes such close contact with the seal that water cannotescape from the substructure. In addition, a bathtub-shower combinationis known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,808, having an entry region which maybe closed in a water-tight manner by a door, the door being lockable atthe basin by means of a locking device, and having a discharge drain.For these basins, after closing the drain and while bath water fillsinto the bathtub the user may forget to lock the door, thus allowingbath water to escape from the basin.

To prevent this, according to EP 1 806 083 A2 the locking device for thedoor of a bathtub-shower combination is provided with a first sensorwhich identifies the locked state. A controllable closing mechanism isadded to the drain. Controlled by the sensor, the closing mechanismcannot be closed unless the locking device is actually locked. If theuser neglects to lock the door before drawing the bath water, theincoming water is able to flow through the drain, which is forcibly heldopen by the first sensor. In addition, a bathtub is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,351,345 A, having a tambour door which is provided with alocking system. By means of an electronic control system having a waterlevel sensor, the locking system may be activated and the door held shutuntil the water level in the basin has dropped below a given level. Thedrain for the basin is in turn provided with a controllable valve which,by means of the electronic control system, cannot be closed until thedoor is determined to be in the locked state.

However, the use of electronics systems in wet cells and in particularthe use of electrical current in the bathroom area is not desired, sincethe susceptibility of electronic devices to malfunction in a wetenvironment is disadvantageous. This disadvantage is not present for ahydraulically based locking device as described in JP 2531572 Y, forexample. In this case, a float and a mechanical rod linkage are used tolock a bathtub door as the water level rises, but no measures are takento prevent water from flowing in when the bathtub door is open, or atleast to cause it to be immediately drained.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is a closing andsecuring arrangement which provides the greatest possible safety whileessentially completely avoiding electrical or electronic components, andwhich prevents bath water from escaping via the entry region of thebasin when the door is open or unlocked, and which allows the door to beopened when the basin is filled above the height of the entry region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve this object, an assembly as described at the outset ischaracterized according to the invention in that a mechanical transferarrangement connects a locking device which operates in a strictlymechanical fashion to the closing mechanism, using a control system. Inthis manner, any desired functionality of mutual influencing of doorlocking and drainage control may be achieved mechanically, withoutelectrical or electronic control or activating devices, and thereforewith safety for the user and with operational reliability.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, it isprovided that a movable locking pin of the door deflects a movableelement in a locking housing at the basin against the action of anelastic element from a starting position, the transfer arrangement beingreleased only in this deflected position.

The locking device advantageously has an actuating element for themechanical transfer arrangement which is locked when the movable elementis not in the deflected position.

Another alternative feature of the invention provides that the movableelement cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks the movableelement in the deflected position when the water is above a levelcorresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

An advantageous variant may be provided in which the transferarrangement is mechanically connected to a securing element or isprovided with same, and in the closed position of the closing mechanismthe securing element is in a position in which the movable element isblocked from swiveling back to the starting position.

It is also advantageous when the actuating element is mechanicallyconnected to the securing element or is provided with same.

The secure locking of the door is preferably provided in that themovable element in its deflected position engages with the locking pinand thus holds it in its locked state.

According to the present invention, the second securing level isachieved in that in the deflected position of the movable element afurther securing element may be moved into the pivot path of theelement, thus blocking the element from swiveling back to the startingposition, independently of the other securing element, and the furthersecuring element provided with a system for resetting the securingelement as a function of the water level.

In terms of mechanical design, this securing level is implemented insuch a way that the further securing element is mechanically connectedto a float which brings the securing element into the pivot path of themovable element when the water is above a level corresponding to theedge height in the entry region of the basin.

However, an alternative embodiment for the second securing level may bedesigned so that the securing element is connected to the actuatingelement or to the transfer arrangement in such a way that, after passinginto the position which blocks the movable element from swiveling backto the starting position, the securing element remains in this positionindependently of the further motions of the actuating element or thetransfer arrangement, and an arrangement for resetting the securingelement as a function of the water level is provided.

A first, advantageous mechanical embodiment for the system for resettingthe securing elements includes a float which is mechanically connectedto these securing elements and which moves the particular securingelement out of the pivot path of the movable element when the water isbelow a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region ofthe basin.

Alternatively, however, it may be provided that the system for resettingthe securing elements includes an electromechanical device which isactuated by a water level sensor and which moves the particular securingelement out of the pivot path of the movable element when the water isbelow a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region ofthe basin.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention is schematically illustratedin the drawings and explained in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bathtub provided with a shower door,

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a top view of the locking device, and

FIGS. 3 a through 3 c show a side view, partially cut away, of thelocking device in various locked states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A bathtub and shower system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a basin 2having a sunken entry region 3 situated approximately at floor level andwhich may be closed in a water-tight manner by a shower door 4 whichprojects vertically above the edge 5 of the basin 2. Of course, a basin2 could also be provided in which the door 4 does not project above theedge 5. The bathtub and shower system has a bathing area, optionallyhaving an integrated seating surface, and a shower area, and isadvantageously manufactured as a coated, for example enameled,deep-drawn part made of a metallic material, or as an injection-moldedor deep-drawn acrylic basin, or as a GFRP, CFRP, or some otherfiber-reinforced plastic in the hand lay-up process or extrusionprocess.

The shower door 4 may be made of a clear, transparent material, forexample mineral glass, Plexiglas, or acrylic glass. The bathtub andshower system 1 is particularly suitable for small bathrooms due to theinwardly opening door 4. For this purpose, a sealing face is provided onthe basin 2 in the entry region 3, in the contact area 7 with the showerdoor 4, on which a seal, preferably made of silicone, which runs aroundthe sunken entry region 3 and faces the shower door 4 is provided. Foropening, a handle 6 is provided on the shower door 4 which, as explainedin greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 a through 3 c, is infunctional connection with a locking device 8 for the door 4. When thebasin 2 is full the shower door 4 is under water pressure, whichcontributes to seal-tightness, so that the referenced locking device 8only has to perform a preferably two-level securing function. For otherdesigns, the shower door 4 together with the hinges and the lockingdevice 8 would have to have a much heavier construction.

At the lowest point of its base the bathtub 2 is provided with a drain9, which has a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the lockedstate of the locking device 8.

A particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment of a locking device 8is illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b and FIGS. 3 a through 3 c.

The locking device 8 has a slider 10 as an actuating element which, bymeans of a mechanical transfer arrangement 11, preferably in the form ofa cable pull or wire pull, or optionally designed as a rod linkage orthe like, connects the locking device 8 to the closing mechanism of thedrain 9 for controlling purposes. The slider 10 is directly coupled tothe cable pull or any alternative mechanical transfer arrangement,without the need for additional actuating systems such as electricmotors or the like. The closing mechanism which is held open forshowering, in the present case the slider 10 in the position shown inFIG. 2 a illustrated with a display 12 representing the shower function,may be brought into the closed position by actuating the transferarrangement 11 by means of the slider 10. The slider 10 is in theposition shown in FIG. 2 b, in which a display 13 for bathing isvisible. However, the transfer arrangement 11 and/or the slider 10 maybe brought into the position which closes the closing mechanism of thedrain 9 only when the door 4 is securely closed and locked. For thispurpose, a mechanical arrangement is provided which, for example, may bedesigned according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 athrough 3 c. By means of the mechanical transfer arrangement 11, forexample a valve for the drain 9 could be directly opened or closed, oran electric motor which actuates the valve could be switched on or off.

Connected to the door 4 is a locking pin 15 which may be moved against areturn spring 14, and which, when the door 4 is closed, may either belifted by means of the handle 6 or slid upwards against an inclined face16 of a housing for the locking device 8. Also provided in the housingis a movable element in the form of a flap 17, which may be swiveledagainst the action of a further return spring 18. In its undeflectedposition illustrated in FIG. 3 a, the flap 17 is located in thedisplacement path of the slider 10, or in some other way holds themechanical transfer arrangement 11 fixed between the locking device 8and the closing mechanism of the drain 9.

In the closed position of the door 4, the locking pin 15 is pushed bythe return spring 14, preferably from above, into an opening 19, open atthe top, in the housing of the locking device 8, resulting in adeflection of the flap 17 against the action of the return spring 18 ofthe flap, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 b and 3 c. The transfer arrangement11 or the slider 10 is released only in this deflected position, thusallowing the closing mechanism of the drain 9 to be actuated. At thesame time, the pivoting of the flap 17 causes an edge of the flap 17 toswivel into a recess in the locking pin 15, which in the completelyswiveled position of the flap 17 prevents the locking pin 15 from beingpulled out of the opening 19, and thus prevents the door 4 of the basin2 from opening.

From the locking device 8 to the closing mechanism of the drain 9, themechanical transfer arrangement 11 is mechanically connected to orprovided with a securing element designed as a bolt 20. In the closedstate of the closing mechanism, this bolt 20 is brought into a positionin which it blocks the flap 17 from swiveling back to its startingposition. It is preferred that the slider 10 is mechanically connectedto the bolt 20, or, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, that this bolt20 is mounted on the slider 10. Thus, as long as the closing mechanismholds the drain 9 closed, and the water in the basin cannot drain, thisbolt 20 keeps the locking device 8 in the locked state, thus preventingthe door 4 from being opened when the water level in the basin 2 ishigh.

A further securing level is provided so that the door 4 cannot be openeduntil the water in the basin 2 has dropped to a level below the heightof the lower edge of the entry region 3. For this purpose, the pivotableflap 17 cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks same in thedeflected position when the water level exceeds the edge height in theentry region 3. For this purpose, for example a second bolt 21 may beprovided as a further securing element which likewise may be moved intothe pivot path of the flap 17. This may be carried out mechanically, oralso by mechanically connecting the second bolt 21 to a float (notillustrated) which is raised or lowered by the water in the basin 2,thus bringing the bolt 21 into the pivot path of the flap 17 when thewater is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entryregion 3 of the basin 2. A sensor element which responds to the waterpressure of the water present in the basin 2 could also be coupled tothe securing arrangement by means of a mechanical connection in order tomaintain the lock as the water level, and therefore the water pressure,increases, and to release the lock when the water level and waterpressure fall below a predefined level.

Alternatively, for this purpose only a bolt 20 by itself could beprovided, which in the above-described manner is connected to themechanical transfer arrangement 11, and which after passing into theposition which blocks the flap 17 from swiveling back to the startingposition remains in this position, independently of the further motionsof the slider 10 or the transfer arrangement 11. In that case, however,a system for resetting the bolt 20 when the water is below a levelcorresponding to the edge height in the entry region 3 must be provided.This system could also have a float, which by means of a mechanicalconnection with the bolt 20 moves the bolt out of the pivot path of theflap 17. An electromechanical device could also be provided for one orboth bolts 20 and 21 in order to return the bolts from the pivot path ofthe flap 17, actuated by a water level sensor when the water is below alevel corresponding to the edge height in the entry region 3 of thebasin 2.

Thus, with reduced use of electrical and/or electronic devices, and ifdesired, in a completely mechanical/hydraulic manner, a two-levellocking and securing arrangement may be implemented, by means of whichthe drain 9 cannot be closed until the locking pin 15 of the door 4 hascorrectly engaged with the locking housing and the flap 17 has swiveled.In addition, it is ensured that the door 4 cannot be reopened until thewater in the basin 2 has dropped to below the specified water level.

1. A closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin(2), having an entry region (3) which may be closed in a water-tightmanner using a door (4) which optionally extends at least to standingheight and which may be locked using a locking device (8), and having adischarge drain (9) having a closing mechanism which may be closed onlyin the locked state of the locking device (8), comprising a mechanicaltransfer arrangement (11) connecting the locking device (8), whichoperates in a strictly mechanical fashion, to the closing mechanism, forcontrol purposes.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, including amovable locking pin (15) of the door (4) deflects a movable element (17)in a locking housing at the basin (2) against the action of an elasticelement (18) from a starting position, the transfer arrangement (11)being released only in this deflected position.
 3. The assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein the locking device (8) has an actuatingelement (10) for the mechanical transfer arrangement (11) which islocked when the movable element (17) is not in the deflected position.4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the movable element (17)cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks the movable elementin the deflected position when the water is above a level correspondingto the edge height in the entry region of the basin.
 5. The assemblyaccording to claim 4, wherein the transfer arrangement (11) ismechanically connected to a securing element (20) or is provided withsame, and in the closed position of the closing mechanism the securingelement is in a position in which the movable element (17) is blockedfrom swiveling back to the starting position.
 6. The assembly accordingto claim 5, wherein the actuating element (10) is mechanically connectedto the securing element (20) or is provided with same.
 7. The assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein the movable element (17) in its deflectedposition engages with the locking pin (14) and thus holds it in itslocked state.
 8. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein in thedeflected position of the movable element (17) a further securingelement (21) may be moved into the pivot path of the element (17), thusblocking the element (17) from swiveling back to the starting position,independently of the other securing element (20), and the furthersecuring element (21) provided with a system for resetting the securingelement (21) as a function of the water level.
 9. The assembly accordingto claim 8, wherein the further securing element (21) is mechanicallyconnected to a float which brings the securing element (21) into thepivot path of the movable element (17) when the water is above a levelcorresponding to the edge height in the entry region (3) of the basin(2).
 10. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the securing element(20) is connected to the actuating element (10) or to the transferarrangement (11) in such a way that, after passing into the positionwhich blocks the movable element (17) from swiveling back to thestarting position, the securing element remains in this positionindependently of the further motions of the actuating element (10) orthe transfer arrangement (11), and an arrangement for resetting thesecuring element (20) as a function of the water level is provided. 11.The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement forresetting the securing elements (20, 21) includes a float which ismechanically connected to these securing elements (20, 21) and whichmoves the particular securing element (20, 21) out of the pivot path ofthe movable element (17) when the water is below a level correspondingto the edge height in the entry region (3) of the basin (2).
 12. Theassembly according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement for resettingthe securing elements (20, 21) includes an electromechanical devicewhich is actuated by a water level sensor and which moves the particularsecuring element (20, 21) out of the pivot path of the movable element(17) when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height inthe entry region (3) of the basin (2).